4 most improved teams after Trade Deadline

This year’s non-waiver Trade Deadline was an absolute whirlwind, with 18 deals made across the Majors — the highest total since 1995. Now that Aug. 1 has come and gone, here are the four teams that I feel improved the most:

1. Giants As they seem to do be able to do every year that they are in the playoff hunt, the Giants found a way to fill their needs from a farm system that supposedly does not have the depth that others do.

This year, San Francisco traded for arguably the best starting pitcher available in Matt Moore, who in his past nine starts has posted an impressive 2.39 ERA over 60 1/3 innings. And at age 27, Moore is under team control for the next 3 1/2 seasons if his team options are exercised. Additionally, general manager Bobby Evans added a quality lefty in Will Smith, who effectively fills the void left by the retirement of Jeremy Affeldt a few years ago — a lefty who manager Bruce Bochy can use against left- and right-handed hitters.

These acquisitions came at a considerable expense, including Matt Duffy, who finished second in the 2015 National League Rookie of the Year Award voting, and righty Phil Bickford, who had been San Francisco’s No. 1 prospect, but it should be worth it if the Giants go deep into the postseason.

2. Dodgers The Dodgers waited until the last minute to add three players, including making a deal with Oakland for two of the most significant pieces available — outfielder Josh …

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